Kajmak (dulce de leche)
Description
Kajmak (dulce de leche) is a thick, creamy mass with a golden-amber color and a rich, caramel-milky flavor with hints of toasted sugar and vanilla. It has a smooth, sticky consistency, easily spreadable or used as a filling, and adds a deep, sweet intensity to desserts without the sharp sweetness of regular sugar. Nutritionally, kajmak is calorie-dense and rich in simple sugars and fats, providing quick energy; it also contains protein and calcium from milk, as well as small amounts of vitamin A. For this reason, it is advisable to use it moderately as a flavoring addition. It is typically used as a cream and filling for cakes, cookies, pancakes, and ice cream, for fruit desserts, and as a topping for coffee and ice cream. It is best stored in an airtight jar; commercial products in a sealed can are durable, and once opened, should be kept in the refrigerator and consumed within 2–3 weeks; it can also be frozen for about 3 months, although the consistency may change.